PIC16LF1906T-I/SS - 14KB Flash LCD 8-bit MCU | Microchip
MPN: PIC16LF1906T-I/SS ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.18 | $2.18 |
| 10 | $1.96 | $19.60 |
| 100 | $1.74 | $174.00 |
| 500 | $1.55 | $775.00 |
| 1,000 | $1.38 | $1,380.00 |
| 3,000 | $1.21 | $3,630.00 |
PIC16LF1906T-I/SS Overview
A microcontroller (MCU) is a single-chip computer that integrates a CPU core, program memory (Flash), data memory (RAM), and a rich set of peripherals (ADC, timers, communication ports, LCD driver) into one package. The PIC16LF1906 belongs to the 8-bit PIC mid-range family — within the broader hierarchy of microcontrollers (8-bit MCU → PIC microcontroller → PIC16 family → PIC16F190x sub-family → semiconductor). The "LF" prefix denotes the low-voltage, low-power variant, while the trailing "T" denotes tape-and-reel packaging for high-volume assembly.
Key features include 14KB (8K × 14 words) of self-programmable Flash, 512 bytes of RAM, 256 bytes of EEPROM, a 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels, an integrated LCD driver supporting up to 116 segments, multiple communication peripherals (I2C/SPI/EUSART), and nanoWatt XLP technology with sleep currents down to approximately 50 nA. The device includes an on-chip 32kHz oscillator, multiple timer modules, and an enhanced mid-range 14-bit instruction set.
The PIC16LF1906 employs a RISC architecture with a 14-bit instruction word and an 8-bit data path, providing predictable timing suitable for real-time control. The integrated LCD driver eliminates the need for an external LCD controller, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. The nanoWatt XLP technology offers multiple low-power modes (Run, Idle, Sleep, and Deep Sleep), making it well suited to applications where average current draw must remain in the microamp range.
Typical applications include battery-powered consumer products with LCD displays such as thermostats, portable medical monitors, utility metering, electronic shelf labels, and IoT sensor nodes with embedded segment LCDs. Designers value the part's ability to drive a glass LCD directly while consuming minimal quiescent current, enabling years of operation from a single coin cell.
When designing with the PIC16LF1906T-I/SS, ensure the chosen LCD segment multiplex configuration matches the panel's COM/SEG count. Use the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) plug-in to set up the LCD charge pump and waveform timing, and budget adequate decoupling on VDD/AVDD to support the LCD charge-pump switching transients.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in PIC16LF190x family alternatives, and practical design notes not consolidated on the manufacturer product page.
Drop-in alternatives for PIC16LF1906T-I/SS — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with PIC16LF1906T-I/SS (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Core Architecture, LCD Driver, Low-Power Technology, Package, ADC.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
PIC16LF1907T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1904T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.56 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1902-I/SS
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.72 / Unit
View Datasheet →PIC16LF1903T-I/SS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
PIC16LF1906T-I/SS Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Family | PIC® XLP™ 16F |
| Core Architecture | 8-bit PIC Mid-Range (14-bit instruction) |
| Program Memory (Flash) | 14 KB (8K x 14) |
| Data RAM | 512 bytes |
| Data EEPROM | 256 bytes |
| Maximum CPU Speed | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage (VDD) | 1.8 V to 3.6 V |
| Package | 28-SSOP (5.30 mm body) |
| Pin Count | 28 |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| LCD Driver | Yes — up to 116 segments |
| ADC | 10-bit, up to 11 channels |
| Communication Peripherals | I2C, SPI, EUSART (1 each) |
| Timers | Multiple 8/16-bit (see datasheet) |
| Low-Power Technology | nanoWatt XLP (Deep Sleep ~50 nA typical) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C (Industrial) |
| MSL Level | 1 |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free / Halogen-Free | Yes / Yes |
PIC16LF1906T-I/SS Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | RA0/SEG0 — PORTA bit 0 / LCD SEG0 |
| Pin 2 | RA1/SEG1 — PORTA bit 1 / LCD SEG1 |
| Pin 3 | RA2/SEG2 — PORTA bit 2 / LCD SEG2 |
| Pin 4 | RA3/SEG3/MCLR — PORTA bit 3 / LCD SEG3 / Master Clear (reset) |
| Pin 5 | RA4/SEG4 — PORTA bit 4 / LCD SEG4 |
| Pin 6 | RA5/SEG5 — PORTA bit 5 / LCD SEG5 |
| Pin 7 | RA6/SEG6 — PORTA bit 6 / LCD SEG6 |
| Pin 8 | RA7/SEG7 — PORTA bit 7 / LCD SEG7 |
| Pin 9 | VSS — Ground reference |
| Pin 10 | VDD — Positive supply (1.8V–3.6V) |
| Pin 11 | RB4/COM0 — PORTB bit 4 / LCD COM0 |
| Pin 12 | RB5/COM1 — PORTB bit 5 / LCD COM1 |
| Pin 13 | RB6/COM2 — PORTB bit 6 / LCD COM2 (ICSPCLK) |
| Pin 14 | RB7/COM3 — PORTB bit 7 / LCD COM3 (ICSPDAT) |
| Pin 15 | RC0/SEG8 — PORTC bit 0 / LCD SEG8 |
| Pin 16 | RC1/SEG9 — PORTC bit 1 / LCD SEG9 |
| Pin 17 | RC2/SEG10 — PORTC bit 2 / LCD SEG10 |
| Pin 18 | RC3/SEG11 — PORTC bit 3 / LCD SEG11 |
| Pin 19 | RC4/SEG12 — PORTC bit 4 / LCD SEG12 |
| Pin 20 | RC5/SEG13 — PORTC bit 5 / LCD SEG13 |
| Pin 21 | RC6/SEG14 — PORTC bit 6 / LCD SEG14 |
| Pin 22 | RC7/SEG15 — PORTC bit 7 / LCD SEG15 |
| Pin 23 | SEG16 — LCD SEG16 |
| Pin 24 | SEG17 — LCD SEG17 |
| Pin 25 | SEG18 — LCD SEG18 |
| Pin 26 | SEG19 — LCD SEG19 |
| Pin 27 | VLCD1 — LCD charge-pump capacitor 1 |
| Pin 28 | VLCD2 — LCD charge-pump capacitor 2 |
Typical Applications
PIC16LF1906T-I/SS is suitable for 6 applications: Battery-Powered Thermostat, Portable Medical Monitor, Electronic Shelf Label (ESL), Utility Metering (Water/Gas), IoT Sensor Node with LCD, Industrial Handheld Display.
Battery-Powered Thermostat
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS is well-suited to battery-powered thermostats because its integrated LCD driver eliminates an external controller and its nanoWatt XLP technology draws deep-sleep currents near 50 nA typical per the family datasheet. The 14 KB Flash accommodates scheduling, sensor compensation, and UI code, while the 1.8–3.6 V supply permits direct operation from two AA cells. Placed between the AA cells and the segment LCD glass, the PIC16LF1906 drives up to 116 segments directly via its on-chip charge pump; unlike parts without LCD drivers the design needs no auxiliary controller, saving BOM cost and PCB area. Trade-off: the 28-SSOP body is wider than QFN alternatives, so designers seeking the smallest footprint should evaluate the 40-pin QFN variant.
Recommended
Portable Medical Monitor
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS fits portable medical monitors because its 1.8–3.6 V supply and nanoWatt XLP sleep modes extend battery life to weeks or months, while the 10-bit ADC with up to 11 channels digitizes pulse-oximeter or thermistor signals at the required resolution. The 28-SSOP footprint keeps the board compact for handheld enclosures, and the integrated LCD driver displays readings without an extra controller. Placed downstream of a single-cell Li-ion or two-AAA source and feeding a segment LCD, the device consumes microamp-level quiescent current in deep sleep; unlike an ARM Cortex-M0 alternative the 8-bit PIC code density and deterministic timing simplify FDA/IEC 62304 verification. Trade-off: limited RAM (512 bytes) constrains rolling-buffer depth — designers needing telemetry history should pick PIC16LF1907 with 1 KB RAM.
Recommended
Electronic Shelf Label (ESL)
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS targets electronic shelf labels because its nanoWatt XLP technology enables 3–5 year battery life on a single coin cell, and its integrated LCD driver supports up to 116 segments for price/promo display. The 14 KB Flash stores RF protocol stacks and product-SKU images, while the 20 MHz core provides adequate headroom for sub-GHz wireless transactions. Placed between a CR2032 cell, a sub-GHz transceiver, and the segment LCD glass, the MCU coordinates RF wakeups and display refresh; unlike ESL ASICs the PIC16LF1906 allows full firmware customisation for proprietary RF protocols. Trade-off: ESL designs rarely need 14 KB Flash, so PIC16LF1904 (7 KB) often suffices at lower unit cost.
Recommended
Utility Metering (Water/Gas)
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS supports battery-powered utility metering because its deep-sleep current near 50 nA typical and 256-byte EEPROM deliver multi-year retention of meter readings and tamper flags. The integrated LCD driver directly addresses the segment glass on the meter face, while the 10-bit ADC digitizes pulse or sensor inputs. Placed downstream of a lithium primary cell and a flow/rotation sensor, the device records usage in EEPROM and displays cumulative volume; unlike external RTC + LCD combinations the integrated design eliminates two components. Trade-off: metering designs needing >14 KB Flash for advanced flow algorithms should select PIC16LF1907 (28 KB) in the same SSOP-28 footprint.
Recommended
IoT Sensor Node with LCD
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS serves IoT sensor nodes with on-device LCD because its nanoWatt XLP sleep currents and integrated LCD driver remove the need for a separate display controller, reducing both PCB area and standby current. The I2C/SPI/EUSART peripherals connect to a wide range of sensors and sub-GHz/BLE modules. Placed between a coin cell, a sensor cluster (temperature/humidity/accelerometer), and a 2.4" segment LCD, the MCU reports readings on demand and displays status locally; unlike Cortex-M0+ parts the simpler 8-bit core reduces code complexity and reduces firmware-development cost for low-rate sensor reporting. Trade-off: the 20 MHz clock is adequate for sensor fusion but not for BLE HCI processing — designers should pair with an external BLE module.
Recommended
Industrial Handheld Display
The PIC16LF1906T-I/SS fits industrial handheld displays because its industrial temperature grade (-40 °C to +85 °C) and integrated LCD driver withstand factory-floor environments. The 14 KB Flash handles menu/HMI code, while the 10-bit ADC reads analog sensor inputs (pressure, 4–20 mA loops). Placed between the battery pack, the segment LCD glass, and the keypad, the device drives the display and reads operator input; unlike parts without LCD drivers the design avoids an external charge-pump/segment controller. Trade-off: 28-SSOP is hand-solderable but not as rugged as an SPDIP package — for extremely high-vibration environments consider the PIC16LF1906T-I/SP (SPDIP-28) variant.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for PIC16LF1906T-I/SS — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | PIC16LF1907T-I/SS | PIC16LF1904T-I/SS | PIC16LF1902-I/SS | PIC16LF1903T-I/SS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology | Microchip Technology |
| Package | 28-SSOP | 28-SSOP — same | 28-SSOP — same | 28-SSOP — same | 28-SSOP — same |
| Program Flash | 14 KB | 28 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB | 7 KB |
| Data RAM | 512 B | 1 KB | 256 B | 256 B | 256 B |
| Max CPU Speed | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz | 20 MHz |
| Operating Voltage | 1.8 V – 3.6 V | 1.8 V – 3.6 V | 1.8 V – 3.6 V | 1.8 V – 3.6 V | 1.8 V – 3.6 V |
| LCD Driver Segments | Up to 116 | Up to 116 | Up to 116 | Up to 116 | Up to 116 |
Key Differentiators
- Highest Flash/RAM headroom in the PIC16LF190x family in the 28-SSOP package (vs PIC16LF1904T-I/SS)
- Lower cost than the 28-KB PIC16LF1907 while keeping full peripheral set (vs PIC16LF1907T-I/SS)
- True nanoWatt XLP deep-sleep current near 50 nA (vs PIC16LF1902-I/SS)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VDD = 3.0 V, the PIC16LF1906T-I/SS draws approximately 50 nA typical in deep sleep per the family datasheet, allowing 3+ year battery life from a 220 mAh CR2032. Always enable the on-chip LCD charge pump only while the panel is active and disable it during long sleep intervals to minimise idle current. Place a 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling capacitor within 5 mm of VDD and a 10 µF bulk capacitor on the battery side to suppress the inrush of the LCD charge pump.
Use the MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) to generate the LCD waveform, charge-pump, and pin-Remap initialisation code, which avoids manual register-tweaking errors. Route the VLCD1/VLCD2 charge-pump capacitor traces as short as possible (≤ 5 mm) to minimise ripple on the LCD supply. Place a 4.7 µF X7R capacitor close to each charge-pump node and confirm the chosen X7R dielectric supports the operating temperature range of -40 °C to +85 °C.
Do not connect the MCLR/RA3 pin directly to VDD without a 10 kΩ pull-up — leaving MCLR floating allows noise to spuriously reset the MCU. Always include an ICSP header (ICSPCLK on RB6 and ICSPDAT on RB7) per the Microchip programming specification so that production units can be re-flashed in-circuit; omitting ICSP traps firmware upgrades behind the ICSP pads. Finally, set the WDT postscaler before enabling the watchdog in battery-powered designs to avoid spurious resets during long LCD refresh cycles.
Keep the 32.768 kHz crystal traces short and guard them with a GND keepout to avoid coupling noise into the timer1 counter. The 28-SSOP package has a 0.65 mm pitch — use ENIG finish and 4-mil traces/rohs-pad design rules to ensure reliable reflow. Where possible, place the decoupling capacitor directly under the SSOP body on the opposite PCB layer, stitched to VDD/VSS with multiple vias to minimise loop area.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant and lead-free per Microchip product specifications and DigiKey environmental attributes. MSL-1 moisture sensitivity at 260 °C reflow. AEC-Q100 qualification not applicable — automotive applications should evaluate the PIC16LF190x family automotive variants separately.
